Around 62 percent of Filipinos believe it is important for former President Rodrigo Duterte to face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity related to his war on drugs, according to a WR Numero Research poll released Friday.
In contrast, 20 percent of respondents opposed Duterte’s potential ICC trial, while 19 percent remained undecided.
The same survey, conducted from March 31 to April 7, 2025, found that 52 percent of respondents agreed that Duterte should be held accountable for crimes against humanity, while 24 percent disagreed and 25 percent were undecided.
Additionally, 61 percent believe that the investigation and potential trial would help uncover the truth behind the killings linked to the drug war.
The poll shows that 61 percent of people support the motion to bring others who were involved in the trial at the ICC.
WR Numero also reported that 66 percent of Filipinos believe President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should make it a priority to investigate and prosecute police officers who abused their power during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. Meanwhile, 18 percent were undecided, and 16 percent opposed this approach.
“We’ve seen a big support for the process that the former president, Rodrigo Duterte, is currently a part of, a process involving the International Criminal Court where there were cases launched against him,” WR Numero Chairman Robin Garcia said.
“We feel that there is a high level of legitimacy and support for the ICC as an institution and the ensuing events that may take place that were spearheaded by the ICC,” he added.
He noted that roughly half of the respondents expressed confidence that the International Criminal Court would conduct a fair investigation and trial for former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Additionally, 66 percent of those surveyed believe the Philippines should cooperate with the ICC to ensure a smooth and impartial investigation.
WR Numero said the survey was commissioned by Dr. Gary Ador Dionisio and conducted nationwide from March 31 to April 7, 2025. It involved face-to-face interviews with 1,894 registered voters across the country. The poll has a ±2 percent margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11 and swiftly flown to the Netherlands on the same day to face charges before the International Criminal Court over his controversial war on drugs, which claimed the lives of thousands, primarily from poor communities.
He is currently detained in The Hague awaiting a confirmation of charges hearing set for September 23, at which he will have the chance to challenge the allegations brought against him.
